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Author Topic: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?  (Read 7382 times)

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Offline criveraville

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Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« on: February 03, 2012, 01:09:27 am »
Most all the ducks we harvested this year I skinned and mannaged to keep the feathers on. I think I have enough to stretch out and glue down to denim or leather to make a cold weather pancho. I dried pheasant skin like this before, but I'm not sure about the long term preservation. Is there something I should do to keep the hide bugs of? Borax? But how?

Anyway I just really enjoy the texture and feel of the down and think it would be neat to make things with. I know one skin could cover the top of a quiver and look pretty neat.

Cipriano
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I was HECHO EN MEXICO, but assembled in Texas and I'm Texican as the day is long...  Psalm 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Offline Lee Slikkers

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2012, 01:20:42 am »
I Borax mine until the Borax stays clean and without residue...takes a couple changes but they won't stay very flexible.  A poncho?  OK, I gotta see pics of what you are talking about Count Chocula!
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"The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?"
— Aldo Leopold
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Offline bowtarist

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2012, 01:21:48 am »
I've tacked bird skins down to a board and poured on 3/4" of borax and that seems to do a pretty good job.  Bet there are better ways though.  Good Luck Cip, dpgratz
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Offline bowsandroses

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2012, 03:03:31 am »
I'm interrested Pics required. ;)
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Offline YosemiteBen

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2012, 01:34:00 pm »
Our older ceremonial dance belts were (some are) made with mallard and acorn woodpecker head skins.  I do not know if they were brained though - not a lot of natural mineral anything for tanning in the sierra - oak chip water could have been used as a tanning agent.  All those old feathers have held up well. I will see if I can find anymore info for you.
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Offline beetlebailey1977

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2012, 10:56:35 pm »
I know they can be tanned but not sure how or where to send them.
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Offline bowtarist

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2012, 01:39:37 am »
alum mixture...1/2 lbs. alum. sulfate, 1/2 lbs. salt (not table), H2O to make a paste, stir good, let sit 60 minutes, coat it on thick to a tacked out skin feathers down.  cover w/ a plastic bag for two days.  scrap off and repeat for security (more mix and two more days), take off plasic and let dry. Scrape off and your done.  Borax will keep it from rotting, but thismix will tan it.  dpgratz
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Offline criveraville

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Re: Preserving duck skin with feathers on?
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2012, 07:17:49 pm »
Well it is an idea.  A pancho with a breast plate or the front of duck down and maybe the back a deer hide or something.  Just real primitive look.  Thanks bowtarist.  When I get a chance I am going to give it a go.  I have about 28 skins so I think I have enough ;)

Cipriano
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I was HECHO EN MEXICO, but assembled in Texas and I'm Texican as the day is long...  Psalm 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
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